Wreck of the Maldive Victory

The ten year old 3,500 ton freighter, Maldive Victory, struck the Hulhule Airport reef at full speed on Friday, 13th of February 1981. All aboard made it to safety before the ship sank to its watery grave, the cargo including two limousines and several thousand bottles of liquor was largely recovered by teams of divers in the months following the sinking. Today, just a few pieces of cargo remain on the ship. The ship sank in 35 metres of water and within moments sealife took up residence on this perfect artificial reef, the wreck lies upright on the sandy bottom with the bow facing north. The anchor hanging on its chain from the bow actually moves in the strong current. A line descends from the permanent marker buoy to the main mast and provides valuable assistance when the current is strong. Once on deck there is good shelter from the current. Explore the propeller at the stern and the anchor at the bow or at 25 metres the deck has three cargo holes allowing easy passage into the ship.